Tobacco coughs up for NSW opposition

The NSW opposition’s election campaign has received a cash boost from big tobacco, hotels and the gambling industry, raking in 20 per cent more in all political receipts in the last financial year.

In January, laws backed by the NSW Greens and the Keneally Labor government came into force, ­banning donations from property developers along with the alcohol, gambling and tobacco industries.

But in the year to June 2010, ­figures released yesterday by the ­Australian Electoral Commission showed the Liberal-National Coalition accepted $46,200 in donations from British American Tobacco and $91,000 from the Australian Hotels Association (AHA). Both are now banned from making political donations.

Total income to the Coalition was up 21 per cent on the previous year, from $5.4 million to $6.9 million. Income to the Labor government rose 6 per cent to $8.05 million.

Labor has refused to accept donations from tobacco companies for several years.

“There will still be an expectation that there will be delivery on past donations," Greens MP
John Kaye
said. “Important reforms on tobacco, including a ban on outdoor smoking and vending machines, are unlikely to get a good hearing."

Latest Galaxy opinion polling on voting intentions shows the Coalition securing 51 per cent of the primary vote to Labor’s 20 per cent, jumping to a 66-34 per cent lead on a two­party-preferred basis.

In a pre-election policy announcement, the opposition yesterday unveiled plans for a convention, entertainment and concert facility at Sydney’s Darling Harbour, including “at least one new premium hotel".

Both major parties accepted ­donations from the now-banned Star City casino in the last financial year, with the Coalition getting $46,200 and Labor $110,000.

Dr Kaye said the donations put poker machine reform at risk.

Among other developer donations, the Coalition accepted $23,100 from one of the world’s largest property developers, Chinese-based Kingold Group. The opposition says the company is outside the new donations ban because its principal activity in Australia is a Chinese-language newspaper.

The government accepted $245,570 in developer donations, including $87,520 from property developer Buildev.

Both parties accepted almost $60,000 from Clubs NSW, which is outside the reach of the new laws.